[ [100] Among the objects from Lagore mentioned by Lord Talbot (Fig. 103) is a peculiar iron pipe, described as of unknown use. It is rather remarkable that it and this bayonet-like object from Buston should be the counterparts of a kind of padlock in use in the earlier Middle Ages, which acted in the following manner:—When a spring-bolt (like that of the object from Buston) was passed through the tube upwards, the spike attached to the latter passed through the perforation in the former. Inside the tube there were two small prominences, which when the bolt was pushed sufficiently home caught the tips of its springs and prevented its return. In this state the padlock was securely locked, and it could only be opened by a key consisting of another but smaller tube, which, when passed through the other end of the larger tube and over the springs, pressed the latter close to the body of the bolt until their tips became clear of the internal catches, and so allowed the spring-bolt to be extracted.
[ [101] Vol. i. p. 146.
[ [102] This crannog is of a rectangular shape, 43 feet by 41 feet, and formed of layers of large trunks laid transversely.
[ [103] See Note 3, p. 447.
[ [104] The question of submarine crannogs is still obscure, and the few facts that have come to light leave the matter in doubt as to whether the structures were originally constructed in the water or on dry land and subsequently submerged, in consequence of changes in the relative levels of sea and land. The only remains of this character that I know of in Britain are—(1) a cairn of stones on a substratum of wood near the island of Eriska, at the mouth of Loch Crerar; (2) the Black Cairn, in the Beauly Firth; and (3) some stumps of piles in Ardmore Bay, county Waterford. The mound at Eriska, which was found on examination to be of circular shape and 60 feet in diameter, was dry at low water, but submerged at spring-tides to the extent of five feet. Some ashes and charcoal and the broken bones of sheep and small oxen were the only relics of human occupancy found. The Black Cairn is noticed in the Statistical Account of Scotland, and also by Miss Maclagan. It is about four hundred yards within flood-mark. The top is only visible at low water, and the base is said to be composed of very large wooden beams.
[ [105] Mr. Wallace describes the island as entirely artificial, "raised upon piles and cross-beams, about fifty yards from the shore, and 189 feet long, with an average of 112 feet wide. The water immediately surrounding it is deep, and the margin of the island rises perpendicularly from the deep water, which is about seven or eight feet deep on the north and east sides, and ten or twelve feet on the south and west. The piles and cross-beams, on which it has been raised, lie like a pavement all round it, inclining to the centre. The beams are of oak, pine, and birch. Those of pine and oak are the largest. Between the beams, and all over the island, numerous pieces of charcoal were picked up. The island rises in the centre, and, after clearing away part of the luxuriant nettles and long grass, portions of a walled structure were disclosed. No trace of lime-cement could be detected, but the stones were large and well placed together. The ruins of this building raised the island to the height of seven feet above the present water-mark." The island is noticed in the historical annals, and in 1596 gave refuge to the Earl of Arran. The occurrence of vitrified materials on the surface gives to this crannog, according to Mr. Wallace, peculiar interest. I could understand this interest had it been proved that vitrified buildings had been constructed over the crannog. In the construction of the crannog, of course, stones taken from the shore were used, and in this way the vitrified materials might be accounted for, or, what is more probable, they are the slag of a smelting furnace. The following are Mr. Wallace's words: "I visited the island in July, 1885, and scarcely had I set my foot on shore when I found a small piece of true vitrified rock; and great was my astonishment when I discovered that the whole island was covered with fragments of different sizes of the same material. It was found among the piles and cross-beams in great quantities. Several larger masses—one measuring four feet by three—were found on the western margin of the island, and deeply embedded among the stones and above the piles and cross-beams, close to the water's edge. After careful examination the vitrified material was found to differ in no way from that forming our vitrified forts. Between the crannog and the shore there is a smaller island of large stones, which is only visible when the loch is exceptionally low, as it was this season. This island, which measures 90 feet by 60 feet, appears to be entirely built of stones. The sides, like those of the larger island, are perpendicular. One piece of vitrified rock was found here. The distance between the islands is about sixty feet, and between the smaller one and the shore about twenty feet."
[ [106] Upon the partial drainage of Carlingwark Loch, in 1765, various kinds of artificial structures were observed, as wooden roadways, dams built of stone and clay, and a couple of islets constructed on a framework of black oak. In the mud were also found various relics, as a brass dagger, 22 inches long, mounted with gold plaiting; a brass pan; a remarkable cauldron ([Fig. 172]), containing bronze and iron implements; and several large stag-heads.
[ [107] "In draining a lake at the east end of the parish of Croy, an artificial mound appeared within a few yards of the shore, about sixty feet in circumference and five in height. It was formed of alternate strata of stones, earth, and oak; piles of oak being driven in the ground were kept strongly fixed by transverse beams of smaller size. Over these were round stones, and on the surface some inches of fine black mould. Some fragments of brass rings, pieces of pottery, and the bolt of a lock of no ordinary size, were found on the mound. At about a hundred yards distance there is a circle of large piles of oak, driven deep in the earth, apparently the commencement of a second mound; but for what purpose they were intended it is impossible to conjecture. At the same time a canoe, of most beautiful workmanship, was found, which some modern Goth has since cut down for mean and servile purposes."
[ [108] See note 3, p. 443.
[ [109] Artificial lake, with two islands, said to be seats of Fergus, Lord of Galloway.